Instead of heading to the infirmary as planned, Tom found himself by the flowerbeds outside Hogwarts, where he magically levitated the unconscious wizard onto a nearby bench. He then settled down beside the flowers, eyes fixed on the boy feigning sleep. "What exactly are you playing at, Royce? Don't think you can fool me with this pathetic act. Appearances can be deceiving, but the soul never lies."
While he could simply use Legilimency, was it really worth the effort to rummage through the mind of a mere brat?
"..."
Royce, still playing possum, was mortified. He felt like he could dig a hole to China with his toes.
Enough is enough!
Abruptly sitting up, Royce blurted, "Uh... Professor, could you possibly overlook this... this once?"
Tom simply smiled, his silence more menacing than any reprimand.
Sensing danger, Royce's mind raced. "That's right! Professor! Travers has been acting very strange recently. I overheard someone saying he's been seen in Knockturn Alley."
Tom's eyes gleamed with sudden interest. "Oh? Which Travers are we discussing?"
"Darren Travers, the eldest son of the Travers family." Royce didn't hesitate to throw Darren under the bus, self-preservation being paramount.
A playful glint flickered in Tom's eyes as he muttered, "So, he has it… Interesting."
Royce, though unsure of Tom's thoughts, was certain Travers was now in deep trouble.
"Um, Professor… I…"
"Go run along and play. Next time you decide to skip class and fake unconsciousness, you will regret it!"
"Okay!"
Tom paid no attention to Royce as he scurried away, his mind already engrossed in far more intriguing matters.
Now that I know who possesses the diary, there's no need to rush its retrieval.
...
Meanwhile, in a second-floor washroom, Darren Travers suddenly shivered.
Why do I feel like something terrible is about to happen?
After a moment's hesitation, Darren opened his notebook and wrote, "I don't know why, but I have a bad feeling I'm going to die before I even get started."
The remnant soul of Voldemort within the notebook was clearly shaken. A sentence promptly appeared on the page: "Impossible! Utterly impossible! I swear it!"
In a moment of blind faith, Darren chose to believe this entity whose prophetic abilities clearly weren't even up to par.
Darren continued writing, "Fine, I trust you."
Less than three seconds later, another message appeared: "Good. As long as you follow my instructions, I will definitely help you deal with that bastard threatening you... Wait, is it Dumbledore?"
Seeing this, Darren hastily wrote, "Don't worry, it's just some nineteen-year-old."
The remnant soul sneered, and the notebook displayed another message: "So weak? I, Tom Riddle, could crush him with one hand!"
With that, Darren closed the notebook and headed for the bathroom stalls.
...
That evening, on the fourth floor, Lockhart stood before Tom's office, hand raised to knock but hesitating. He couldn't shake the feeling that he was about to face the music.
I, Gilderoy Lockhart, pride myself on being a talented wizard, a recipient of the Order of Merlin, and various awards...
Lockhart gritted his teeth and raised his hand again, ready to commit, but found himself paralyzed by fear.
Still no use! My mind is filled with nothing but that unforgivable green light!
Lockhart was on the verge of bolting when the door suddenly swung open.
He jumped back, startled.
It wasn't Tom who opened the door, but Elara Vole, who had sat beside him at the opening banquet.
Relief washed over Lockhart. If Tom wasn't here, there was still hope.
"What are you waiting for? Are you coming in or not?"
Lockhart turned to see Tom sitting at his desk, his gaze piercing.
"Uh, hehe... Professor Tom, lovely evening, isn't it?" Lockhart chuckled nervously, trying to appear calm as he entered the office.
Tom glanced at the darkening sky. "Indeed. I trust you didn't linger outside my office for so long merely to comment on the weather?"
"Um… Professor Tom, what is your opinion of me?" Lockhart didn't dare directly ask to join the Death Eaters, opting for a more subtle approach. Perhaps Tom sees me as an equal and will offer me the position of second-in-command?
Tom shattered that hope with his next words, sending a chill down Lockhart's spine.
"Your strength is utterly insignificant. The knowledge in those books holds some value, but, judging from your demeanor, those experiences were merely tales you overheard and then transcribed... As for why you haven't been exposed yet, you likely silenced those who knew the truth through memory charms or similar means."
Lockhart's jaw dropped. It felt like Tom's eerie green eyes were stripping him bare with a few simple sentences.
Beside Tom, Nagini's gaze towards Lockhart intensified with disdain.
Regaining his composure, Lockhart threw himself to his knees, clutching at Tom's leg, pleading, "Professor Tom… no! Master! Don't sell me out! Don't kill me! I'll do anything! Please... no! Please, let me become your Death Eater!"
Despite his flaws, his tendency toward petty theft and his cowardly nature, he was self-aware enough to realize that facing Voldemort with nothing but a Forgetfulness Charm was suicide.
Nagini frowned, watching Lockhart sob and cling to Tom's leg. That spot was supposed to be hers, the Dark Lord's favorite pet snake's!
Tom kicked Lockhart away in disgust, and Lockhart readily released his hold.
"While your strength is lacking, you do possess a considerable following, a decent reputation, and some influence within the wizarding world..." Tom observed Lockhart thoughtfully, who stared back blankly, completely lost.
Tom sighed. "Very well, then. You will be my henchman from now on."
Lockhart's eyes lit up. "You… You're not going to kill me?"
"I never intended to." Tom rolled his eyes. It was ridiculous that this idiot had actually believed his earlier words. If Tom had wanted to kill Lockhart, he wouldn't have lasted three minutes.
Of course, Lockhart dying by accident wouldn't count.
However, now that Lockhart was under his command, he would undoubtedly protect him.
"Then you won't reveal my past actions, will you?" Lockhart looked at Tom hopefully. He had, after all, stolen the memories and experiences of countless victims.
"Honestly, that's nothing. What Death Eater doesn't have a few lives on their conscience? It's hardly worth mentioning compared to what you've done," Tom said dismissively. Why was this imbecile still worried about such trivialities after becoming a Death Eater?
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We are climbing the charts faster than ever because the work I am putting in this time is on a completely different level of excellence.
The Top 10 is within our reach, and every Powerstone is a step closer. Smash the vote button and share your best theories in the comments so I can see who is really paying attention to the plot!